Aussies in action on Day 5

They’ve met twice before, with Ferrer never having dropped a set. But this time around Tomic has has a point to prove – he’s attempting to advance beyond the second round at Flushing Meadows for the first time in his career after falling at the same stage three years running. The Australian acknowledges that although the Spaniard is a tough opponent, the surface perhaps benefits his game more than Ferrer’s, rewarding his big serve and flat groundstrokes. It’s one of three matches of the Day 5 schedule on Arthur Ashe, the biggest stage in tennis.

Following on from Tomic’s match on Ashe will be Sam Groth, kicking off the night schedule with the biggest match of his career against Roger Federer. It’s a series of firsts for the big-serving Victorian; his first appearance in the second round of a Grand Slam event, his first match on the world’s biggest court and his first meeting with Federer, the legendary 17-time Grand Slam champion. Federer is the form player coming into the event judging by his form at the hardcourt Masters events, and began strongly at Flushing Meadows with a straight-sets win over Groth’s compatriot Marinko Matosevic. Groth will be going in very much the underdog but plans to soak up the big-match occasion.